Merritt, B.C. – A horrendous collision between a U-haul van and a transport truck near Merritt has resulted in the deaths of three people.

At approximately 8:45 pm Friday RCMP from Merritt, BC Ambulance and Merritt Fire Rescue attended  a two vehicle-crash on Highway 5A/97C, 6 kilometers east of Merritt.

RCMP say a westbound U-Haul van with three occupants collided with the rear of a commercial vehicle transporting crushed cars. The commercial vehicle was traveling west in the right hand “slow” lane down a hill.

It is unknown at this time why the westbound van collided with the rear of the transport.  Visibility was good at the time, the road was bare and dry. The trailer lights of the commercial vehicle were working and were on at the time of the collision.

The impact was so severe that the one female and two male occupants of the U-Haul were deceased at the scene. The driver and passenger of the transport were not injured.

The investigation is continuing with members of the Central Interior Traffic Services Unit in Merritt assisting the BC Coroners Service.  Efforts are being made to positively identify the U-Haul’s occupants in order to notify next of kin. RCMP are asking witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Merritt RCMP say that while they were at the accident scene, the driver of a pickup truck drew attention to himself and an impaired driving investigation was initiated. The pickup driver was issued a 90 day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle impounded.